Well Decommissioning: Principles and Practice

This course has been designed to provide an introduction to all technical aspects of well decommissioning. The content and exercises will prepare you for working in well specific decommissioning work, and will also provide a sound introduction to working within a decommissioning team.

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Designed for:

This course is intended primarily for technical staff (of all disciplines) not already accustomed to P&A activities or unfamiliar with industry guidelines and regulations. The course is also suited to Technical Management requiring an in-depth appreciation of the challenges associated with decommissioning and insight into the meaning and importance of relevant regulations, guidelines and standards.

Duration

3 days

Learning Level

Skills

Knowledge

Awareness

The course material has been built around the very latest Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) Guidelines, widely considered to set the highest standards worldwide, but also reviews alternative standards and approaches in other geographical areas.

The course will be delivered using a combination of instruction, facilitation of group discussions and the regular use of practical examples and exercises, including a full field decommissioning case study. This approach will provide valuable practical insights into the planning of well decommissioning and the management of key related uncertainties and risk.

Course Content

Day 1

Introduction
Scene setting regarding the importance of good decommissioning practice in the modern world. UK and global context
Key Definitions
Regulation – Guidelines – Standards. Critical definitions in the context of UK Guidelines, their meaning and interpretation
Permanent Barriers
Meaning of permanence, barrier types, materials, size etc. The importance of annular cement and the definition of corporate standards in defining the effectiveness of annular barriers
Verification, Responsibilities and Accountability
The importance of verification in all aspects of well decommissioning. The role and responsibilities of Technical Authorities, the Well Examiner and Management

Day 2

Special Considerations
A review of the full spectrum of technical features to be considered during well P&A planning, from sour fluids to sealing and healing formations
Key Phases of Abandonment
Industry definitions, their meaning and intent. Phasing activities to manage risk and for optimising field decommissioning activities
Abandonment in Practice
Planning for and dealing with uncertainty and risk – Rigs vs LWIV – contracting strategies – record keeping

Day 3

Cost Estimating and Budgeting
Reflecting uncertainty in cost estimates – cost estimating methods and Guidelines – balance sheet liabilities – budgeting, AFEs and project cost management
Case Study Exercise
An example field abandonment exercise to pull together all aspects of well abandonment in the context of and overall field decommissioning project
New Technology
A review of existing and developing technologies that are likely to appear over the next 3-5 years

Duration

Duration is 3 days.

Course Tutors

Stephen Jewell

CEng, FIMMM, BEng
35+ years – petroleum engineering

Stephen develops runs courses in the Reservoir and Wells series. He has a career background at Conoco, Amerada Hess, Xodus, Well Decom and TRACS. Stephen is a co-author of ‘CO2 Storage Liabilities in the North Sea, An Assessment of Risks and Financial Consequences (DECC)’.